Observatory

OBSERVATORY NEWS 2014

THE OBSERVATORY IS NOW OPEN. (weather permitting)

The Obsevatory resumed its public open nights from Friday 19th of September.

We have had some good views of COMET LOVEJOY (2014 Q2) which is moving northwards above Andromeda in February and
still in the range of binoculars. Images by Terry Pearce, show a double tail and a diffuse coma with a bright central condation.

SOLAR ECLIPSE MARCH 20th.
The eclipse is total as seen from the far north (Svalbad, Spitzbergan) but will be seen as a partial eclipse from London at 87%.
The eclipse begins at 8:25 am and ends at 10:41 am. Maximum eclipse will be at 9:31 am. As this is an early morning eclipse, we will try to open the observatory
if the weather looks promising.

HSS Observatory

Normally Mid Sept - Mid-April, but we do vary this from year to year depending on the position and visibility of the bright planets.
The observatory is closed during the Summer, because during this time, the sky does not really get dark and we need time to carry out cleaning and repairs,
but we may open on special occasions.

Opening times

8-10pm CLEAR Friday and Saturday nights. 11am-1pm CLEAR Sundays.

Daylight opening is to observe the Sun.

Exceptions

Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day. We usually close on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day as well.

TUBE: take the Edgware branch of the Northern line to Hampstead station (zone 2). From here you'll have a short walk up the hill along Heath Street to the observatory. BUS: the 210 and 268 have stops near to the observatory. The 268 stops on Heath Street and the 210 on Spaniards Road. CAR: there is parking available on Hampstead Grove and Lower Terrace. N.B. You can park in any of the 'residents' parking bays after 8:00 p.m. but do look and take note of the parking restrictions sign-posts, as enforcement in Hampstead can only be described as 'draconian'.

This is a small observatory which is one of the few, if not the
only, observatory in London to provide for public viewing of the night
sky. The observatory is one of the most visible ways the HSS promotes
science providing views of the Moon, planets and other objects of interest on
Friday and Saturday evenings. A more detailed listing can be found
along this link.

Telescopes

The main instrument at the observatory is a fabulous piece of kit:
a 6" Cooke refracting telescope which dates back to the turn of
the 20th century. Despite being so old it delivers superb views of
London's night sky. It is housed under a purpose-built rotating dome
and mounted on a concrete pier. So it really looks like you'd
expect. We also have a smaller portable 6", the 'Wildey' named
after our former astronomical secretary Henry Wildey, who
made it and also bequeathed funds to the society. In addition to these instruments, members sometimes
bring up their own telescopes and binoculars.

If you are considering purchasing your own telescope,
remember, that our experienced telescope makers and users will be on hand to offer advice and can
often point you in the right direction to save time and money. if you would like to try building
your own telescope, then we can even help with this. The Society is affiliated to C.A.T.S - the Camden
Amateur Telescope Society. C.A.T.S. holds fortnightly meetings at the Highgate Newtown Community Centre
where you can learn how to grind your own telescope mirrors and make your own instrument from scratch.
There are few more fulfilling persuits than observing the wonders of the Universe with an instrument
that you have made yourself. For further details contact our Joint Astronomical Secretary Simon Lang, FRAS, Telephone:
07999 774 287 (NB please do not 'phone this number after 6:30 pm on Friday & Saturday evenings as we will be busy setting up)
or go to the CATS website
or make enquiries to ausa60@dsl.pipex.com

Weather

One point which can not be over stressed. If it is raining, cloudy,
or blowing a gale, the observatory will be closed. Common sense
dictates that if the sky is not clear then there's no point standing
about looking at a dull orange glow getting cold and wet. Bar heaters
and fires have the same basic hue and will be superior companions on
such nights. If you want a high-tech solution then following this link will open a new window to an
external site.